September Update: SVdP Georgia Advocacy Blog
In your experience as a Vincentian, you identify issues and needs that are critical to the well-being of neighbors. Bringing attention to them is a key part of our mission. The Society is founded on a model of service and advocacy—Charity and Justice. In recognition of this, SVDP USA has renamed its national advocacy committee the Vincentian Justice and Charity Team (previously “Voice for the Poor”) and emphasizes that ALL Vincentians are called to participate in advocacy.
At the state level, we are pleased to introduce you to the newly formed SVDP Georgia Advocacy Committee, which serves to coordinate Vincentian advocacy positions across Georgia. <strong>The Advocacy Committee will train and support districts and conferences to discern trends and root causes of need, and work with SVDP’s advocacy leaders in local, state, and national advocacy campaigns. In addition to this blog, the Advocacy Committee will provide advocacy updates to conferences via district presidents and conference presidents.</strong>
For the 2027 legislative session, the Georgia Advocacy Committee will focus four foundational advocacy goals based on issues that deeply impact the neighbors you serve:
<ul>
<li><strong>Protect families living long-term in extended-stay hotels from being locked out without notice or due process.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Protect the State Low Income Housing Tax Credit. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Seek funding for emergency rental assistance. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Seek funding for the SVDP Georgia statewide charitable pharmacy.</strong></li>
</ul>
The first step of Vincentian advocacy is to sign up for Voter Voice to receive email alerts about important advocacy steps you can take. The Voter Voice platform makes it easy for you to contact your representatives with the click of a button. Here is the link to sign up: <a href=”https://votervoice.net/SVDPUSA/home”>https://votervoice.net/SVDPUSA/home</a>
This year, the conference with the highest percentage of Voter Voice registrants by the time the Georgia General Assembly convenes on Jan. 11, 2027 will receive an award of $1,000!!
This Fall, the focus is on key elections that will determine the policies the state adopts for the coming years: Georgians must register to vote by October 5. This is an important time to learn about the candidates’ positions on the issues you care about and be sure to vote. Early voting begins October 13 with Election Day on November 3.
Georgia voters will cast ballots at the federal level for a U.S. Senator and all 14 members of Georgia’s U.S. House of Representatives. At the state level, voters will elect the Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Insurance, Commissioner of Labor, State School Superintendent, and two members of the Public Service Commission. All 56 seats in the Georgia State Senate and all 180 seats in the Georgia House of Representatives will also be on the ballot.
There are many ways to engage! You can read up on the candidates’ positions, watch debates, put up a yard sign, make a donation to a campaign, and talk to neighbors and friends about what you have learned about the people running for office. It is up to you to help elect the people who will share your priorities.
When you speak with candidates and incumbents, please let them know your thoughts on the issues that most impact the neighbors you serve, such as housing affordability and access to food stamps and healthcare.
Please stay tuned for the next blog post!
